Matching buckets.

Evening All,

We have tried to get into the Christmas spirit today by going to the cinema to see Arthur Christmas.  The boys were off today due to the strikes so we made the most of it.  It really was a lovely film and the boys have come back and promply written their letters to Santa, the advent calenders have been hung and I think they are now getting excited....it's going to be a long 25 days.......

So, to my buckets.  I made some cards the other day for the teachers and now I have made matching buckets...

A Poinsettia Mug....

A bucket version  (sure it could be called something better than a bucket!)

Together, filled with smellies....

Wrapped...

With matching tag....

I have wrapped the smellies in tissue paper that I stamped to match.  The buckets are made from the pillow box die, three stuck together.  The handles are made from the lace ribbon border punch.

Really simple but effective and could be filled with all sorts and decorated in many different ways.
I saw a version of this whilst scrolling through YouTube , there are many different ways, have a look...

Unfortunately, my 'practice' workshop tomorrow has been cancelled so I'm just going to have to go for it on Friday....wish me luck.

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xxx
Supplies used: All SU unless stated.
Real Red cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Old Olive cardstock and ink, 5 petal flower punch, pillow box die, lace ribbon border punch.
Non SU; cellophane and tissue paper.

Nervous week ahead....

Evening.....

I am getting a bit nervous now this week has started....I have my first Stampin' Up workshop on Friday and I'm all on my own!!!!  I know the ladies will be lovely and I feel quite confident about my make and takes but that doesn't stop me feeling slightly aprehensive about it.
I'll post later in the week what we are making as I don't want to spoil the surprise if anyone coming does have a look at my blog.
 I do have a session with some ladies on Thursday as a bit of a warm up ( You may remember I did a workshop  a while ago with a group of ladies who had never crafted before - they enjoyed it so much I have been asked back!)

The boys had a bit of shocking news last week, one of their friends is going to South Africa to live....next week..... so they have asked me to make a quick card (and quick it was!!!)

I've used the Need for Speed set (I was thinking Sun, Sea and Speedboats...not sure if they will even be by the sea!!!!)
The backing is vellum that I embossed using the perfect polka dots folder.  I used a brayer to ink the folder up before putting it through the big shot machine.
I would like to think that the boys will stay in tough and the old fashioned me thinks it may be nice for them to have a penpal but the realistic me thinks any communication will be done via email......such a shame!!

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xx
Supplies used - All SU unless stated.
Marina Mist cardstock and ink, Old Olive cardstock and ink, Real Red cardstock and ink, Need for Speed stamp set, Vellum cardstock.
Sentiment (non SU) from a set free with a magazine.

Christmas.....nearly!

I have been for cuddles with baby Harry today and he is beautiful....almost makes me think about having another.....well..... almost!!!!

I was having a play with things for the boys teachers and I have to say I was having a nightmare as I don't normally 'do' Christmas cards but I came up with this....

 This is my first attempt at a poinsettia using the five petal flower punch.  I punched out 2 red flowers and ran them through a crimper then punched 2 green flowers but cut the petals up, inked the edges and then stuck the individual petals to the back of the flower....hope that makes sense!!
 The yellow centre is made from punching out 3 small circles (I used a hole punch and used the waste!) and added some black dots and some glaze.

Whatever I decide to make or buy them will also have a matching tag as this was really easy to make and is really effective.
The sentiment has been added on top of the new lace ribbon border punch.  Its a beautiful punch although I'm covering most of it here.  I'm sure you'll see this on many projects.

The boys have quite a bit of homework to do today so I'm off to give them a hand (whilst I still can - I'm sure it won't be long before I'll be baffled!)

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xx

Supplies used: All  SU unless stated.  5 petal flower punch. real red card stock and ink, wild wasabi cardstock and ink, lace ribbon border punch, curly cute stamp set.

My new baby card

Before I start.....a confession!!
I don't have any SU baby stamps so the following card isn't all SU!!!

I was debating buying a new baby card....what!!!!...but decided my lovely nephew may be a bit miffed if I didn't make them a card so I was up late doing this......

I have to say (and I'm sure you can tell) I am loving the petite pennant builder punch.  Although I have only used it as bunting at the moment, there is so much you can do with it - definately a great purchase!!!  I'll have a play and let you see some samples of what can be done with it.

I am yet to meet Harry although I have seen some pictures and he is cute cute cute!  Hopefully I am seeing them at the weekend.

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xx

Supplies used: Wild wasabi cardstock and ink, Marina mist cardstock, ribbon and ink, petite pennant builder punch and pearls. 
Non SU - stamps and nestabilities

Great Auntie Clair....

How exciting....... my lovely nephew has become the proud father to baby Harry tonight, weighing 8lb 1oz and both mummy and baby are doing great.

Can't believe I am a great Aunt...it sounds so old, but it's fab news and I'm really pleased for them.

On a darker note, I got told off today........for not keeping my blog more up to date so apologies and I will try really hard to keep on top of things (I have been really busy lately....I'm not slacking...honest!)

So, I have made a male card.......shock horror.....
I was playing about with a new set called Need for Speed and this is what I came up with....

Do you think the backing paper looks a bit like planks of wood?  I saw an effect at training with Amanda a few weeks ago so though I would have a go.  Its just cardstock scored at 1/2 inch intervals and then I rubbed inkpads across....not sure if it does look like wood but I like the effect anyway.

 I stamped the quadbike with chocolate chip ink and then crumpled up the paper.  Using the distress kit from the catalogue I inked over the image and scuffed both the bike topper and the blue matt and layer with the edge of the scissors.

I thought the inside needed a bit of decoration....

Well, thats it from me tonight, I'm off to start a new baby card......
Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xxx

Supplies used; all SU products unless stated.
river rock and marina mist cardstock, chocolate chip, river rock, old olive and marina mist inkpads, need for speed stamp set and happy birthday hostess only stamp set and linen thread.

Evening All....

Getting ready to sit down and watch the children in need concert but thought I would show you the card I made for my niece whose birthday is later in the month.  I will have to post it so it's fairly flat...

Not entirely sure how old she is going to be (how awful) but its 14 or 15 so this is quite funky for a teen.  Its using a new stamp set from the hostess collection, it's a great set that only hostessess can order so if you want to have this set you need to have a party!!!  Get in touch if you are interested in having a party....

The bunting has been punched using the petite pennants builder punch....there is soooo much you can use this punch for so it's a much have!!!
I have to admit that the alphabet (Amie) isn't from SU, I haven't managed to get my hands on them yet and I had this already!!

My husband is off work tomorrow and we're off Christmas shopping.....really want to get the majority of it done so I will be fit to drop this time tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xxx

Busy, busy....

Morning....

Am having quite a productive Monday morning so far, hope it continues this way.  We have a fashion show for the kids at school tonight to raise funds for the school and I'm helping out so I've got to nip to the shops to get some bits.  We did the show a few years ago and although its pretty hectic, the kids loved it!!!

I have made a birthday card for my lovely friend who is celebrating her special day next week.

Really struggled to get a decent picture of this for some reason...

The stamp set is Cottage Garden, two step stamp set, with pool party, wisteria wonder and perfect plum ink pads.  The flower is made using the five petal punch and boho blossom flower punch and the sentiment is from a set called curly cute.

Right, best get on,
Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xx

Proud Mum....

What a proud Mummy I am today...  Aaron took part in the rememberance parade through town this morning and it really did bring a lump to my throat.  He did so well and looked so grown up.....

Waiting for the parade to start.

My grown up boy....

So, reindeer food!!!!  I seem to always have the pleasure(!) in making this every year for our school fayre, thank goodness it's a small school!

I have made 100 in total....

I have made the bags out of wrapping paper (cheapest option really!) and wrapped the food in clingfilm and stuck them to the bag.  The reindeer food is porridge oats with sugar that I have coloured red and green with food colouring.

I have this week off work so I am hoping to have a very crafty week getting ready for Christmas, I want to make the teachers pressies and stuff, got lots of ideas so we'll see what they end up with!!!!

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xx

What a night!!

My party was a success................

It did go really well and having shared it with my lovely friends and family was great.  Not wanting this to sound like an oscar winning speech but I am thankful to them all for helping to make it a success and for supporting me.

I've spent this morning putting my order through and only had to make one frantic phone call to Amanda...( I then did ring her straight back as I managed to figure it out myself !!)
So, now I'll just have to wait and see if it's all correct...

We made a lovely card using the new 'in' colours, pool party and island indigo.

The stamp set is called Printed Petals.  I stamped the big flower in pool party ink and then sponged around the edge of the stamp with a sponge dauber with indigo island ink.  It's a bit like the rock and roll technique but it gives a subtle effect.

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xxx

Tonight's the night!!!!

So, my Stampin Up venture starts tonight!!!!

I'm all tidy, ready and can't wait to start. My first obstacle though is to get the boys into bed early and get them to stay there!!  Although they are very good at bedtime usually, there are a few people coming they haven't seen for ages and it's just a bit different for them to have a houseful on a school night....the temptation may just be too much!!!

Oh well, we'll see.  So, I have to demonstrate something tonight aswell.  I have gone for something easy that looks pretty impressive.  I found this tutorial on a blog qbeesquest.blospot.com using ghirardelli squares(!) so because we don't have such a thing in this country, I've used afer eight mints.

Side view

Could make great favours or name places (! - is that what they are called?)

Open view

They hold 4 after eights in total, I have stuck two together and then stuck them to the paper so that it can stand up...
I have used tangerine tango designer paper, early espresso grosgrain ribbon, antique brads, boho blossom flower punch, all available from SU.

Well, wish me luck!
Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xx

Welcome back..

Nothing to show tonight, I just wanted to say, I have been having technical difficulties with my blog.  It wasn't showing my lovely followers but I am pleased to say it is all back to normal and you are back......

I'll have something to show tomorrow.....I'm sure.

Thanks for stopping by (although it wasn't interesting today!)
Take care xxx

Sweetie holder..

Quick post now as I am waiting for my Tesco delivery.

Just thought I would show you a little sweetie holder I made the other day.  It was using a stamp set called Greenhouse Garden.  It's a two step stamp set and is really effective.

This holder could be great for a kids party bag type gift or as a name place / favour.
I'm surprised I still have the buttons in there (the kids haven't found them yet!!!!)

I have a busy week ahead with my Stampin Up launch party on Thursday - very excited!  Will let you know how it goes.

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xx

Christmas shopping started......

I have started my Christmas shopping and got some right bargins in the process so I am a happy, happy lady.  I  have quite a big family so I have to start fairly early and I saw some bargins in town today so that always makes things easier!!!

As for todays card, it's for my friend (who I know doesn't read this!) and her pressie was one of the bargains.  She loves Peter Rabbit and Past Times had a special event today with 50% off everything so I have managed to get her a pressie she will love at I price I quite liked too!!!

The stamp set is called build a blossom and its a fab set that has a co-ordinating punch which makes life easier. 
Other supplies include are wisteria wonder cardstock and ink and lucky limeade ink, all from SU except the button.

I am now off to fold 100 little bags ready for reindeer food for the school christmas fayre.....the things we do!

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xxx

Triple Treat Flower

Evening All

Really quick post tonight as I have to run Aaron to cadets shortly and am in the middle of cooking tea!!!  Life doesn't get any slower....

Anyway, enough moaning.  I have made a Thank you card to send to my lovely friend Jane who is having my first official SU party (scared, nervous, excited....can think of many feelings actually!)

The stamp is a single stamp from the A la Carte range called Triple Treat Flower.  I have stamped it 3 times then used the 5 petal flower punch to layer it up.

Other supplies include: Temping turquoise ink and designer paper, pumpkin pie ink, Indigo island card stock, very vanilla cardstock, tiny tags punch, tiny tags stamp, very vanilla seam binding ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care xxx